Easy Instant Pot Ribs: Fall-Off-The-Bone Delicious
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This fall-off-the-bone Instant Pot Ribs recipe is incredibly finger-licking delicious. It’s also super quick and easy. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have tender, juicy, and delicious ribs everyone at your party will love.
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It’s the perfect rib recipe for the season. Especially when time is short.
And while I love grilled, foil-wrapped ribs or smoked ribs, these can be made in an “instant.” Whenever the mood strikes.
Choosing the Ribs
Choose your favorite ribs to cook in the Instant Pot.
Baby Back Ribs: These are the smallest ribs but they also make the most tender ribs in the Instant Pot. They should serve about 2 people per rack.
St. Louis Ribs: A meatier rib that is also, of course, delicious. They should serve 2 to 3 people per rack.
Preparing to Cook These Easy Instant Pot Ribs
As you likely know, cooking ribs can take hours. And no one will argue that it results in an exceedingly delicious rib.
But these pressure cooker ribs will take a fraction of that time.
And will be utterly tender and delicious.
This recipe calls for 1 to 2 racks of ribs. Instructions are given in the recipe below for cooking times, depending on which one you’re pressure cooking.
Begin by removing the membrane attached to the back of the ribs. Wiggle a butter knife between the ribs and the membrane to loosen it. Then grab a corner of the membrane with a paper towel and pull to remove it completely.
Use a Dry Rub:
Combine the spice rub ingredients and rub them into the front and back of each rib rack. You can use the homemade dry rub recipe below, or use your favorite store-bought brand.
Prepare the Instant Pot:
Place the provided trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot, then add 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of cider vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke. The liquid smoke is optional, but the flavor it brings to these ribs is exceptional when cooking ribs quickly.
How Long to Cook Ribs in the Instant Pot
- Baby Back Ribs: 1 rack of ribs – manual high pressure – 23 minutes – 5 min. natural release
- Baby Back Ribs: 2 racks or more – manual high pressure 25 minutes – 5 min. natural release
- St. Louis Style or Spare Ribs: manual high pressure 35 minutes – complete natural release until the pin drops
Finishing the Instant Pot Pork Ribs
After the pork ribs have finished cooking, transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes or until the BBQ sauce begins to caramelize.
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Easy Instant Pot Ribs
How to make fall off the bone Instant Pot Ribs. Easy method for baby back or spare ribs. So much faster and the sweet and savory dry rub is to die for!
Ingredients
- 1-2 racks pork ribs (1 1/2 to 2 lbs)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Spice Rub
- 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the ribs. Then remove the membranes from the back of the ribs and apply a dry rub evenly over both sides using either our favorite rub or a store-bought BBQ rub.
- Place the wire trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Pour in the water, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke if using.
- Place the ribs inside standing upright in the pot on top of the trivet with the meat side facing out and the ribs facing the pot. Lock the lid in place and set the valve to sealing.
- Press “manual” high pressure or “pressure cook” and set the timer. For baby back ribs: Cook on high for 23 minutes. If you're making 2 racks or if your ribs are meatier, increase the time to 25 minutes. Once cooked, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then vent to release remaining pressure. For spare ribs: cook on high pressure for 35 minutes and let the pressure naturally release until the pin drops.
- Meanwhile, set your oven to broil with a rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Transfer the cooked ribs to the foil-lined baking sheet; brush with barbecue sauce. Place the ribs in the oven and boil until the sauce begins to caramelize; about 2 minutes. But keep watch, you don't want the BBQ to burn. Let rest 5 minutes before cutting into portions.
Notes
To Loosen Membrane:
On the backside of the ribs, meat side down, wiggle a dull knife between the ribs and the membrane to loosen. Then with a paper towel, grip the membrane, pull it away, and discard.
Rib Cooking Times:
Baby Back Ribs: 1 rack of ribs - manual high pressure - 23 minutes - 5 min. natural release
Baby Back Ribs: 2 racks or more - manual high pressure 25 minutes - 5 min. natural release
Spare Ribs: manual high pressure 35 minutes - complete natural release until the pin drops
How Many Does 1 Rack of Ribs Serve?
One St. Louis style rib rack, which is a meatier rack than baby back ribs, will serve 2 to 3 people.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 279Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 1417mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 2gSugar: 35gProtein: 6g